Adjustable mounting devices for window cleaning squeegee and other articles



Nov. 27, 1956 E. J. BARIL 2,771,623

ADJUSTABLE MOUNTING DEVICES FOR WINDOW CLEANING SQUEEGEE AND OTHER ARTICLES Filed Aug. 20, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. EDWARD J- BARIL Arm/m7 Nov. 27, 1956 J BARlL 2,771,623

ADJUSTABLE MOUNTING DEVICES FOR WINDOW CLEANING SQUEEGEE AND OTHER ARTICLES FiledAug. 20, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR. EDWARD J. BARIL United States Patent 2,771,623 7 ADJUSTABLE MOUNTING DEVICES FOR WIN- DOW CLEANING SQUEEGEE AND OTHER ARTICLES Edward J. Baril, Brooklyn, N. Y. Application August 20, 1952, Serial No. 305,397 3 Claims. (Cl. 15-144) This invention relates to tool outfits or kits and more particularly to a squeegee outfit such as disclosed in my copending applications Serial Number 271,829, filed February 15, 1952, now Pat. 2,681,464 June 22, 1954, and Serial Number 274,416, filed March 1, 1952, now Pat. 2,716,043 Aug. 23, 1955.

In the use of household tools such as squeegees, floor or wall mops, whisk brooms, paint brushes, dust cloths and the like, it is often necessary to provide an elongated handle in order to use the tool in ordinary inaccessible places. This is accomplished by connecting an elongated wooden pole or a tube to the tool. It is a prime object of the present invention to provide an outfit or adapter assembly whereby a tool of this type can readily be connected to an elongated handle.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a conventional spring-pressed clamp device with an outfit for detachably mounting a squeegee or the like thereon and for connecting an elongated pole thereto.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a conventional spring-pressed clamp device with a removable adapter block for detachably mounting a squeegee or the like tool thereon.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel means for removably and adjustably mounting a tool, such as a squeegee member, on the end of an elongated handle or pole in a manner so that the tool can be quickly removed from the pole for use independent thereof or so that the angular position of the tool relative to the pole can be adjusted for convenient use on inaccesible portions of windows and the like surfaces.

A still further object of the invention is to provide means for adjustably mounting a tool, such as a squeegee member, on an adapter block which in turn is adapted to be received between the jaws of a manually operable clamp fixed on the end of the elongated pole so that by the mere opening of the clamp jaws the tool can be disconnected from the pole.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a tool supporting plate adapted to turn on a block on an axis extended at right angles to the length of the pole so that the angular position of the tool relative to the pole can be adjusted to meet the requirements of a particular cleaning job which is being done.

A till further object of the invention is to provide means for holding the tool supporting plate in the desired turned position relative to the adapter block in a manner to maintain the desired angularly adjusted position of the tool.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an adapter outfit or assembly of the type disclosed which is simple and durable, which is effective for its intended purposes and which can be manufactured and sold at a reasonable cost.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings,

' and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

On the accompanying drawings forming a material part of the present disclosure:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of an adapter outfit embodying one form of the invention applied to a squeegee.

Fig. 2 is a similar view looking from the side opposite to that shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken through the clamping device and attached pole.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the adapter block.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken on the plane of the line 5-5 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a side elevational view of the attaching plate of the device of Fig. 1.

Fig. 7 is a side elevational view of an adapter outfit embodying a modified form of the invention applied to a squeegee. I

Fig. 8 is a side elevational view of the clamping device and tube shown in Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a rear elevational view, partly in section, of the adapter block of Fig. 7.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of said adapter block.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 6 of the drawing, the tool outfit or adapter assembly of the present invention is for use with a conventional spring-pressed clamping device 10 having a pair of fixed and movable jaws 11 and 12, respectively, each having an integral handle 13 and 14, respectively. The jaws are preferably formed of a noncorrosive metal. The fixed jaw 11 has a pair of spaced ears 15, 15 fitted at their free ends between a pairof like ears 16, 16 extended from the movable jaw 12. The ears are formed with aligned holes through which a pivot pin 17 is passed for pivotally joining the jaws for relative movement. The. handles 13 and 14 of the jaws are bent laterally to provide concaved inner sides 18 facing each other.

A coil spring 19 is loosely engaged about the pivot pin 17 and has one end portion 20 extending along the concaved inner side 18 of the handle 13 and its other end portion 21 extended along the concaved inner side 18 of the handle 14. Thus the coil spring 19 through its end portions 21) and 21 exerts a force tending to spread the handles 13 and 14 to close the jaws 11 and 12 as shown in Fig. 3. When the handles 13 and 14 are squeezed together, the jaws 11 and 12 are opened against the action of the coil spring 19 so that a household tool of any type can be engaged therewith.

Spring-pressed clamps 10 of the type described are generally known in the art to which the present invention pertains so that further details of the clamp will not be given in this disclosure.

According to the present invention, an elongated tubu-' lar sleeve 22 is extended along the concaved inner side 18 of the handle 13 and is formed with a cutaway portion at its inner end providing a semi-circular extension 23 facing the pivot pin 17. The sleeve has an external diameter which complements the curvature of the concaved inner side 13 of the handle 13 so as to; be snugly received therein as shown in Fig. 3.

In assembling, when the tubular sleeve 22 is being pushed into the concaved inner side 18 of the handle 13 from the free end thereof, the free end of the end portion 21) of the coil spring 19 is lifted away from the concaved inner side of the handle 13 so that the end portion 20 enters the sleeve 22 as shown in Fig. 3. With the end portion 20 of the spring extended into the sleeve 22, that end portion serves to force the sleeve into facial contact with the concaved inner side of the handle 13.

Inward movement of the sleeve 22 with relation to the concaved inner side of the handle 13 is continued until diametrically opposite sides of the semi-circular extension 23 become engaged between the inner face of the handle 13 and, more particularly, the inner faces of the ears 15 and the adjacent ends of the coil spring 19. The coil spring is an especially strong one and requires slight com- :pressi'onsto. permit. entrance of the opposed sides :of. the semi-circular extension 23. The coil spring ,then exerts its force--in;.spreading the opposed sides .of the semi-circuvlar exten-sion"23 into good facial contact-with theinner faces of the ears 15.

'The-longitudinalside edges =24-of the semi-circular extension 23 bear frictionally against the adjacent side of athezpivot pin 17 to stabilize'thepositions of the inner end of the sleeve against the inner face of the handle 13.

From theforegoing description,it is apparent that when the tubularisleeve 22.-is pressed completely into position within the concaved inner side. 18 of'ithe handle 13, the -sleeve-isheldat two places. First, the end portion 20 of the coil spring 19 forces the outer'circumference of the sleeve-into good facial frictional-contact with the con- .caved inner side-18 of. the handle 13. Secondly, the main coiled portion of the spring 19 tends to spread slightly the -;opposedisides of theisemi-circular extension 23 into good facial frictional contact with the inner faces of the cars 15 0f the jaw 11. Thus, theitubular sleeve 22 will be held frictionally in position within the concaved inner side of thehandle 13. Simultaneously,- the position of the'inner end of the sleeve 22 is stabilized within the concaved inner side of the handle 13 by the engagement of the longitudinal side edges 24 of the extension 23 with the side of the pivot pin 17.

. Engagement of said side edges 24 with the pivot pin .forces the extension 23, at the inner end of the sleeve 22, into good facial contactwith the concaved inner side of the handle 13 and further holds the sleeve against possible rotative'movement relative to the handle 13.

.Apole125 ofwood or other suitable material is inserted into the outer end of the sleeve 22 and is formed with a longitudinal groove 26 on its outer surface at its inner end to provide clearance for the end portion 20 of the spring 19 when in innermost operative position. The pole is of a diameter to befrictionally received in the sleeve in order to maintain its position. The clamp is secured to vthe'end ofthe pole by a screw 27 extending through an aperture formed in thesleeve 22 and threaded into the pole 24. The pole serves as an elongated handle for the device.

The jaws 11 and 12 of the clamping device, when manu- -ally spread apart, are adapted to receive removably an adapter block 28, and when pressure is released are Eadapted to clamp removably the block therebetween. The

block is preferably -suitable material may be used. The block is preferably .1 oftruncated, isosceles triangular formation, being slightly flattened at its apex. The block has opposed flat sides, and shaping the block as a truncated, isosceles triangle .especially adapts the block to be securely gripped between ithe-ijaws 11 and 12... Oneach side of the block, a plate .28, of rthe same materialasthe block proper, is fastened to .the block by screws 29. Each plate is of the same shapeassthe block but of a peripheral size just slightly greater than the peripheral size of the block proper to provideran' overhanging flange 30 around the block. Extending from the block proper and through an aperture in one of the flanged side plates 28 thereof is a pivot pin in the form of a threaded bolt31.

. The assembly including the clamp 10, pole and block '28 is capable of many and various uses but in Fig. 1 there 'is shown one use to which the assembly may be readily applied. 'In that figure, the assembly is shown as removably mounting aconventional squeegee device with an elongated body 32supporting the usual flexible rubber blade 33. The squeegee device is secured to a plate 34 by screws-35, midway the .ends of the squeegee body, the attaching end 36 of the plate being angled slightly out of the-plane of the .remainder of theplate. The sides of lathe plate adjacent its free end diverge inwardly to form a narrow free end 37, and the end 37 is formed with a cenformed of fibre or wood, or any other tral slot 38. The slotted end of the plate is slid over the protruding pivot pin 31, and interposed between the plate 34 and the adjacent side Zplate 28' of the block 28 and loosely mounted on the pivot pin is a circular plate 39. Plate 39 provides a larger and better gripping bearing surface for the plate 34 than thefiber plate 28. The plate 39 turns with the plate34-and the squeegee device 32 on the-pivotpin 31. Thus it is'appreciatedithat'theplate=34 withi'thesqueegee device'can be :pivoted about thepin 31 relative to the block 28 to adjust the angular-position of the squeegee device with relation to the longitudinal axis of the pole 25. A wing nut 40 on the end of the pivot pin 31 clampsithe plates '39and 34 against the -block. 28 for holding the squeegee device in turned adjusted position. A locking washer41 maybe interposed between the wing nut 40 and the plate 34.

In positioning the block 28 between the jaws 11 and 12 of the clamp 10,,the jaws are first opened by squeezing the handle portion 14 toward the sleeve 22. The block is "then inserted between the jaws with the base thereof fore- ,most,lthe overhanging'flanges 30 serving as guides, until the side edges of the block are in position between the jaws.

The pressure on the handle portion of the clamp is then released sothatithe spring 19 can move the jaws into clamping engagement 'with the block. The block proper is of a thickness corresponding to the width of the material forming the jaws of the clamp so that the longitudinal side edges of'the jaws will engage the inner surfaces 'of said flanges 30 and prevent displacement of the blockandattached squeegee device.

It is thus apparent that the construction of the present invention provides a novel'arrangement whereby the angular positionof the squeegee device 32 can be adjusted with relation'to' the end of' the pole 25 to facilitate wiping of anynormally inaccessible right and left vertical side edges of. windows and the like surfaces. At the same time,'the squeegee device 'can'be quickly-and readily detached from the end of the pole-for use independently of the pole by merely loosening up on the wingnut40.

In Figs. 7 to 10a modified form of adapter block 42 is shown. This 'blockispreferably formed of wood and is ofthe same shape, as-the block 28 so that it can be gripped securely between the jaws 11 and 12 of the clamp '10. Positioned against one side of the block is a plate 43 of-substantially the same shape as the block but of a peripheralsize justslightly greater than the peripheral size of the "block. The plate is positioned concentrically against its respective side of the block so that flanges 44 extend beyond the.s1des and base of 'the triangularly shaped block. The plate is held. against pivotal movement with relation to the block by a small nail 45 inserted through anaperture in the plate and hammered into the block. Strips 46 of non-corrosive metal cover the side edges of the block with their ends curved around .the1,oorners of the. base ofthe block. The strips are -secured..-to..the block by fastening members such as nails 47inserted through aperture in the strips and hammered into the block.

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.The squeegee device 32 and supporting plate 34 are adapted to be removably mounted on the block 42 by a pivot pin in the form of a'threaded bolt 48 passing through aligned apertures in the plate 43 and block 42.

. Irrthis form of the: invention, the squeegee device and its supporting plateare held in adjusted position by clamping'theplate-againstthe adjacent side surface of the block -42-by a nut 49 on the outer end of the bolt 48. A washer 'em'bodimentsof my invention, it is to be understood that I do not 'limit' myself to the precise constructions-herein disclosedtand the right is reserved to all changes and modifications coming within the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

l. A tool outfit comprising, in combination, a cleaning tool having a slotted plate including a clamping device having a pair of jaws pi-votally movable toward and away from each other, integral handles on the jaws for actuating the same, spring means for holding said jaws in closed position, an elongated tubular sleeve supported on one of said handles for mounting an elongated pole, an angu lar block removably clamped between said jaws, a threaded pin protruding from said block for insertion through the slot in said plate, and a nut on the pin for holding the tool on the pin.

2. A tool outfit including a clamping device having a pair of pivoted jaws of flat curved metal, said jaws being movable to open and closed positions, said jaws when closed forming a substantially triangular-shaped recess, integral handles on the jaws for actuating the same, spring means for moving said jaws towards each other, an elongated tubular sleeve supported along one of said handles for mounting an elongated pole, a triangular-shaped broad-faced block removably clamped between said jaws, and a threaded pin protruding from said block for attachment of a tool to the block, a nut on the pin for holding the tool on the block, and peripheral flanges on the block adapted to be engaged by displacement thereof.

3. An adapter assembly [or use with a clamping device having a pair of movable jaws spring-pressed to closed position and handles for actuating said jaws, comprising a tubular sleeve on one of said handles for mounting an elongated pole, an angular wooden block removably clamped between the open jaws of. said clamping device, a plate on one side of said block, said plate having an aperture therein, a threaded pin extending through said aperture and block and protruding from the latter for attachment of a squeegee device, a plate on the other side of said block, metal strips on the side edges of the block for engagement by said jaws, said plates having portions protruding beyond the periphery of said block for engagement by said jaws to prevent displacement of the block in the clamping device.

the jaws to prevent References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 158,459 Biglin Jan. 5, 1875 1,057,947 Dietz Apr. 1, 1913 1,499,563 Tyler July 1, 1924 1,728,195 Barnes Sept. 17, 1929 1,940,129 Howe Dec. 19, 1933 2,580,814 Morley Jan. 1, 1952 

